In line with the previously communicated commitment by the company to evaluate the governance of the current board composition, Panalpina announces that Peter Ulber will not stand for re-election as chairman of the board at the next Annual General Meeting on 9 May 2019.

In the first nine months of 2018, Panalpina increased group profitability compared to the same period of last year. From January to September, gross profit increased from CHF 1,024.8 million to CHF 1,116.2 million. Year-on-year, Panalpina’s EBIT increased from CHF 72.1 million to CHF 83.2 million and the consolidated profit increased from CHF 48.4 million to CHF 51.0 million.

Panalpina, the world’s fourth biggest ocean freight forwarder by transport volumes, and CMA CGM, one of the world’s leading shipping groups, have signed a sustainability agreement aimed at reducing their respective carbon emissions by 2025. As of 2020, newbuild LNG-powered mega-vessels with a capacity of 22,000 twenty-foot containers (TEUs) will help achieve the environmental goals.

Panalpina is expanding its Perishables Network to South Africa. The company is to acquire a majority stake in perishables specialist Skyservices. With the latest acquisition, Panalpina sets foot in a strategic market with its own presence in Johannesburg and Cape Town. The move will enable end-to-end solutions for perishables from South Africa to Europe, the Middle East, Far East and the USA.

Panalpina recorded a sound first half-year 2018 with sustained margins and double-digit profitability growth across the board. From January to June 2018, Panalpina increased EBIT from CHF 42.0 million to CHF 54.7 million and consolidated profit from CHF 29.9 million to CHF 36.1 million.

Panalpina has launched the Panalpina Digital Hub to embrace new technologies including the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain that have the potential to disrupt the business in the coming years. The new business unit is to explore innovative technologies, develop new digital solutions for customers, and engage with digital start-up companies.

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Panalpina continues to expand its global Perishables Network in South America. The international freight forwarding and logistics company is to acquire Newport Cargo S.A., Argentina’s air freight market leader and perishables specialist. The acquisition is geared towards end-to-end solutions for perishables and will increase Panalpina’s foothold in Argentina and neighboring countries.

Panalpina has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA), a forum of leading tech and transportation companies for the development and implementation of blockchain standards in the freight industry. The company sees many advantages of blockchain technology for freight forwarding and logistics operations in general, but also for specific areas such as perishables in particular.

At the annual general meeting of Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd., held on May 8, 2018, 65.47% of the share capital was represented. All proposals of the board of directors were approved by a clear majority and Sandra Emme was confirmed as a new member of the board of directors.

In the first three months of 2018, international freight forwarding and logistics company Panalpina improved profitability compared to the same period of last year. Panalpina reported an EBIT of CHF 24.4 million (YTD 2017: CHF 16.4 million) and a consolidated profit of CHF 16.6 million (YTD 2017: CHF 12.4 million).

Panalpina ended the year 2017 with strong Air Freight volumes and margins, while in the fourth quarter margin pressure continued to impact the financial results in Ocean Freight. For the full year, Panalpina’s reported EBIT increased from CHF 82.0 million to CHF 103.3 million and the reported consolidated profit increased from CHF 52.3 million to CHF 57.5 million.

​Panalpina’s board of directors proposes to elect Sandra Emme as a new member of the board at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held on May 8, 2018. She would succeed Chris Muntwyler who will not stand for re-election.

Al Rushaid is one of Saudi Aramco’s main suppliers and a large Saudi conglomerate which provides services through partnerships in many different industries including oil and gas, manufacturing and construction. Pending regulatory approval, Panalpina will be tasked with managing the logistical aspects of Al Rushaid’s subsidiaries and joint ventures.

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Panalpina is to acquire the Belgian companies Adelantex and AD Handling, specialized in the handling of perishables imports in Brussels, Liège and Ostend. The move follows similar acquisitions in Germany and the Netherlands earlier this year. This latest transaction involving Belgium’s market leader will further strengthen the Panalpina Perishables Network and the company’s end-to-end offering.

​Panalpina once again assisted UNICEF by flying relief aid to Africa, this time to help children suffering in South Sudan. The country’s humanitarian crisis is a culmination of years of civil war compounded by famine and disease. A Panalpina chartered cargo aircraft landed in neighboring Uganda, carrying nearly 80 tons of supplies.